Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Then the river traffic was restored. All passing ships had to pay a hefty toll. The boat helmsman complained in a low voice, "The river toll has increased again, every year it rises; making a living is getting harder and harder."

Next, they collected the fare for riding the ship. Although Li Xian felt indignant, he did not wish to cause trouble and honestly paid extra for the fare. As the ship sailed away, he thought seeing this water battle, the fare was well worth it.

After leaving Huaiyin Prefecture, he arrived at Huashui Prefecture, Hundred Flowers Island. Upon reaching this place, Li Xian was very fortunate and encountered a "Hero Assembly", where martial artists combined forces to hunt down a Red List fugitive.

The fugitive was infamous and the hero assembly was quite large in scale, with all participants being experts. The hosts prepared a feast for everyone. Those holding important positions could receive two coins of Essence Meat. Those who contributed effort and intelligence could share Essence Soup.

Li Xian found it intriguing: "It’s usually me being hunted down; now I wish to experience what it’s like to hunt others. Plus, if I can sip some soup, why not?"

He truly was from a rural area entering the city, finding everything mysterious and novel. So he rushed to the hero assembly and secured a minor position, entitling him to a bowl of Essence Soup. The night before the operation, he drank the Essence Soup in one gulp, obtaining "twenty-five strands" of the Essence of Heaven and Earth.

He was assigned a task of low importance. Following orders, they gradually sought to trap the fugitive. This Red List fugitive was indeed not an easy target; even under siege, he fiercely resisted and took several people down with him before dying.

Li Xian’s contribution was minimal, and so was his reward. After successfully defeating the villain, the hosts filled the pot again. Li Xian received half a bowl of "Essence Soup" once more, finished it all, gained [16] strands of the Essence of Heaven and Earth, and imitating many heroes and good men, broke the bowl with force and walked away.

Free and easy.

Through this event, Li Xian gained profound insight. One must go to big cities! One must compete! Scattered martial artists worldwide, having neither a cauldron nor wealth, must rely on taking advantage of others. It’s said, "When someone feeds you, you speak with restraint. When someone gives you, you act with constraint."

This is especially true for martial artists, so there’s the saying [Gather Heroes Around the Cauldron], to gain help, first prepare a feast. Those who drink the soup and eat the meat will naturally aid with great strength.

Li Xian was as small as a speck of dust, unable to grasp all worldly affairs in one look. But as he traveled and learned, he gradually accumulated experience.

Coincidentally, one day while Li Xian was traveling, he suddenly found the road familiar. Upon reflection, he realized he was near the "Tiger Luo Sect." Back in the day, Li Xian and Wen Caishang fled and planned to take a ship on the Wei Hu River here to go straight to Qiong Heavenly Mansion.

Unexpectedly, the plan suddenly changed, forcing them into the Tiger Cry Ridge, venturing into the Mysterious Mountain Range. Later, they encountered the tomb of Lu Dong, gaining a mystical experience that benefited him greatly to this day.

The Tiger Luo Sect was preparing a "Banquet of Tigers," rumored to host a person of great charisma and talent. The Sect Master of the Tiger Luo Sect, Zhang Ruifeng, had been looking quite radiant and cheerful lately, exuding an unspeakable air of self-confidence.

He dressed meticulously, wearing a tiger robe and crown, fully showcasing his masculine heroic spirit. To demonstrate grandeur, the Banquet of Tigers was held in White Tiger City and rustic towns, claiming to invite guests from all around to showcase their might and valor.

Li Xian happened to pass by and was also invited to the banquet. He recalled the last time he accidentally came here, he had a Tiger Banquet and witnessed the spectacle of a thousand tigers jumping into the river. Although the situation was dangerous at the time, having Wen Caishang by his side offered its own joy.

Now alone, in safe circumstances, it has its own enjoyment. Li Xian freeloaded in White Tiger City, receiving a piece of tiger back. Li Xian thought, "This Sect Master of the Tiger Luo Sect threw such a great banquet, inviting even irrelevant people like me. I suppose besides showing off wealth and indulging in flamboyance, there’s no other reason."

Satisfied, he thought, "They’re inviting me to eat; if they want to show off, then let them." He finished the tiger back and took the opportunity to secretly take a tiger leg. The meat was firm; if one didn’t have a good bite, they couldn’t eat it.

While enjoying himself, he suddenly glimpsed a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye. Li Xian’s hair stood on end, and he thought in panic, "Ah! Ma... Madam!"

He lacked the strength, so when he encountered Madam, he was like a mouse seeing a cat. Li Xian immediately put on a mask to disguise himself and hid among the crowd. Drinking heavily and eating heartily, he turned into curling up, eating slowly.

He was both scared and happy, both yearning and afraid, extremely complex. He always knew Wen Caishang’s methods were ruthless; when she said she’d gouge your eyes, she would definitely do it. Although she might occasionally soften her heart, she wouldn’t always be soft-hearted. Furthermore, gouging out the eyes was secondary...

Li Xian wanted to stand on his own, so he couldn’t hide under her skirt to avoid disaster. Giving up his eyes and enjoying happiness, naturally, brought endless joy. Traveling the Jianghu alone, enduring hardships and dangers was tough.

But the latter... better suited his desires!

Li Xian forcefully calmed himself down, knowing his vision was far superior to Wen Caishang’s, so he noticed her, but she did not see him. With his current hiding spot, using others as cover, it was not easy to reveal himself.

Wen Caishang was sitting in the carriage. One side of the curtain was raised; her long hair was coiled up, secured tightly with three sword hairpins against her dark hair. Her face was unadorned, white and delicate. With graceful brows and phoenix eyes, red lips and a delicate nose, charm naturally exuded, with star and moon-dangling earrings. She wore a gilded black phoenix robe, extremely noble. She calmly glanced at the scenery along the street. Xiaotuan sat at the front of the carriage. The Sect Master of the Tiger Luo Sect, Zhang Ruifeng, dressed heroically, rode a colorful exotic tiger beside her, and appeared more like an escort.

Wen Caishang said softly, "It’s rare to see Sect Master Zhang so generous; this Banquet of Tigers is organized with grandeur. Everywhere under the rule of the Tiger Luo Sect is wealthy and stable, and the aura of the tiger has invigorated it. It’s rarely seen elsewhere."

Zhang Ruifeng said, "Hahaha, with Madam’s praise, I’d feel content even in death."

Wen Caishang said, "Your words make no sense; I wouldn’t take your life for helping me with that matter."

Zhang Ruifeng said, "Forgive my clumsy speech. I mean, should Madam Wen face difficulty, I’d not hesitate to go through fire and water."

Wen Caishang said, "Really?" Zhang Ruifeng responded with excitement, "Of course, truly."